Interspecific differences in prey items in relation to morphological characteristics among four lutjanid species (Lutjanus decussatus, L. fulviflamma, L. fulvus and L. gibbus)

Clarifying interspecific differences in prey items in relation to morphological characteristics is a fundamental aspect to understand the mechanism enabling the diversity of feeding ecology of fishes. The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between prey items and body shape variation, teeth and mandible characteristics for four lutjanid species: Lutjanus decussatus, L. fulviflamma, L. fulvus and L. gibbus. Stomach contents analysis revealed that the main prey items of L. decussatus were fishes, L. fulviflamma were crabs and fishes, and L. fulvus and L. gibbus was crabs. Body shape analysis revealed that L. decussatus and L. fulviflamma had a shallower body depth whereas L. fulvus and L. gibbus had a deeper body depth. The two species with a shallower body had long teeth whereas the other two species with a deeper body depth had shorter teeth. The jaw-lever mechanics were compared and L. decussatus and L. fulviflamma have a faster mouth opening–closing mechanism. Canonical correspondence analysis revealed that fishes was the major prey item for the species having a shallower body depth, higher teeth length and lower ratios of in-lever to out-lever of mandibles, whereas crabs was the major prey item for the species having a deeper body depth, lower teeth length and higher ratios of in-lever to out-lever of mandibles. It is suggested that the interspecific differences in main prey items among the four species are directly related to behavioral differences based on body shape, teeth characteristics and jaw-lever mechanics.     

The feeding ecology of Pleuronectes platessa L., Limanda limanda (L.) and Scophthalmus rhombus (L.) in Carmarthen Bay, South Wales, U.K.

To assess the feeding habits of plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L., and dab, Limanda limanda (L.), within Carmarthen Bay, three sampling techniques were used: benthic trawling and surf-zone push-netting were undertaken during the feeding season for the gut contents of plaice and dab (age groups 0-IV) and of 0-group brill, Scophthalmus rhombus , to be analysed in detail, and a benthic macro-fauna grab survey covered the trawled ground to assess the distribution of food species in relation to gut contents. Plaice consumed commonly-occurring food species whereas dab took any available food. The main items were the same for both species, but secondary food preferences differed. Variations in gut contents within species, for the same sized fish, chiefly resulted from the spatial distribution of fish and not seasonal variations in the benthic macro-fauna. The length and not the age of fish primarily determined the selection of food organisms.     

Diel food selection of pelagic Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.), and brown trout, Salmo trutta L., in Lake Atnsjø, SE Norway

Patterns of diel food selection in pelagic Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus (L.) and brown trout, Salmo trutta L. were investigated in Lake Atnsjo, SE Norway, by gillnet sampling during July-September 1985. Arctic charr feed almost exclusively on zooplankton both day and night, while brown trout had a diurnal shift in diet. For this species zooplankton made up a considerable part of the diet in the daytime, while at night the diet consisted mainly of surface insect and chironomid pupae. Both species had a selective feeding mode on zooplankton during the day and night. Arctic charr had a higher gill raker number and a denser gill raker spacing compared with brown trout. Still, the differences in prey size between the two species were small. We argue that the observed differences in food selection between Arctic charr and brown trout can be explained by differing abilities to detect food items under low light conditions.     

Quinolizidine alkaloid profiles of Lupinus varius orientalis, L. albus albus, L. hartwegii, and L. densiflorus

Alkaloid profiles of two Lupinus species growing naturally in Egypt (L. albus albus [synonym L. termis], L. varius orientalis) in addition to two New World species (L. hartwegii, L. densiflorus) which were cultivated in Egypt were studied by capillary GLC and GLC-mass spectrometry with respect to quinolizidine alkaloids. Altogether 44 quinolizidine, bipiperidyl and proto-indole alkaloids were identified; 29 in L. albus, 13 in L. varius orientalis, 15 in L. hartwegii, 6 in L. densiflorus. Some of these alkaloids were identified for the first time in these plants. The alkaloidal patterns of various plant organs (leaves, flowers, stems, roots, pods and seeds) are documented. Screening for antimicrobial activity of these plant extracts demonstrated substantial activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus and Bacillus subtilis.     

Optimal patch use by foraging workers of Lasius fuliginosus, L. niger and Myrmica ruginodis

1. The predictions of the marginal value theorem, that foragers should spend more time in both better quality patches and more distant patches, were tested with three European ant species, Lasius fuliginosus , L. niger and Myrmica ruginodis.
2. As the quality of patches of sucrose solution increased, the feeding time of foraging workers of L. niger also increased.
3. At constant patch quality, feeding times of L. niger and M. ruginodis increased with increasing distance of the patch from the nest entrance.
4. Foraging workers of L. fuliginosus showed a similar response to patch distance in the field, but feeding times were also significantly influenced by air temperature, decreasing as temperature increased.
5. These results show qualitative agreement with the predictions of the marginal value theorem.     

Synthesis, transport and accumulation of quinolizidine alkaloids in Lupinus albus L. and L. angustifolius L

Each of the principal quinolizidine alkaloids (QA) found in both xylem and phloem exudates together with extracts from all component organs collected from bitter (cv. Lupini) and sweet (cv. Ultra) cultivars of Lupinus albus L. were quantified by gas chromatographic analyses throughout reproductive development. In addition to establishing the major translocated QA species estimates for fluxes of QA to developing fruits based on their sap composition and water economy showed that around half of the QA that accumulated in fruit tissues was due to synthesis in situ and half to translocation principally by phloem. Detailed analyses of QA in transport fluids and component organs were extended to reciprocal homo- and hetero-grafts using bitter (cv. Fest) and sweet (cv. Danja) cultivars of L. angustifolius L. These data confirmed that the majority of QA were synthesized in shoot tissues. In both lupin species feeding and analysis of deuterated QA (lupanine and 13-hydroxylupanine) were used as tracers to demonstrate direct redistribution of alkaloids by translocation from mature leaves in phloem.     

Effects of host switching on gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.)) under field conditions

Effects of various single and two species diets on the performance of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar (L.)) were studied when this insect was reared from hatch to population on intact host trees in the field. The tree species used for this study were red oak (Quercus rubra L.), white oak (Q. alba L.), bigtooth aspen (Populus grandidentata Michaux), and trembling aspen (P. tremuloides Michaux). These are commonly available host trees in the Lake States region. The study spanned two years and was performed at two different field sites in central Michigan. Conclusions drawn from this study include: (1) Large differences in gypsy moth growth and survival can occur even among diet sequences composed of favorable host species. (2) Larvae that spent their first two weeks feeding on red oak performed better during this time period than larvae on all other host species in terms of mean weight, mean relative growth rate (RGR), and mean level of larval development, while larvae on a first host of bigtooth aspen were ranked lowest in terms of mean weight, RGR, and level of larval development. (3) Combination diets do not seem to be inherently better or worse than diets composed of only a single species; rather, insect performance was affected by the types of host species eaten and the time during larval development that these host species were consumed instead of whether larvae ate single species diets or mixed species diets. (4) In diets composed of two host species, measures of gypsy moth performance are affected to different extents in the latter part of the season by the two different hosts; larval weights and development rates show continued effects of the first host fed upon while RGRs, mortality, and pupal weights are affected strongly by the second host type eaten. (5) Of the diets investigated in this study, early feeding on red oak followed by later feeding on an aspen, particularly trembling aspen, is most beneficial to insects in terms of attaining high levels of performance throughout their lives.     

Structure of two macrolepidopteran assemblages on Salix nigra (Marsh) and Acer negundo L.: abundance,diversity, richness,and persistence of scarce species

1. Most insect species occur at low abundance but a greater research effort has been devoted to so‐called outbreak species and little research is available on scarce (low abundance) species that are typical of most insect species. 2. Larval free‐feeding macrolepidoptera of two riparian trees Salix nigra (Marsh) (black willow) and Acer negundo L. (box elder) were sampled and sorted by species and abundance. 3. Data collected established that the majority of species in the assemblages in each tree species occurred at low abundance in each of the 5 years when larvae were sampled. 4. Species in the Noctuidae and Geometridae dominated both assemblages. 5. On both trees, assemblages were dominated numerically by relatively few species, a pattern that has been observed for insect assemblages on plants in managed and unmanaged habitats.     

Feeding behavior ofLemur catta andLemur fulvus

The feeding behavior of two sympatric species of lemurs, Lemur cattaand Lemur fulvus,was studied in an enclosure simulating a natural habitat at the Duke University Primate Center. L. fulvusspent less time feeding during the day than L. catta.But the former species ate more fruit and had longer feeding bouts on preferred food items than L. catta.They also had a shorter food passage time than L. cattaand their choice of resting places was more influenced by food distribution. Furthermore, the two lemur species ate parts of different plant species and showed different reactions to chemical plant components. According to these results, L. fulvusis a more conservative feeder than L. catta.These interspecific differences in feeding behavior may be one of a number of differences that allow the two species to coexist. In allopatry, however, L. fulvusmay also adopt feeding patterns similar to those of L. catta.But L. cattawas never found to change its feeding strategies in different areas. It may be this option of L. fulvusto adopt different feeding strategies in different situations that allows this species to have the widest range of all Malagasy lemurs. Duke University Primate Center Publication No. 259.     

An investigation of the responses of herbivores to cyanogenesis in Lotus corniculatus L.

In laboratory feeding choice experiments several species of insects and molluscs eat acyanogenic Lotus corniculatus leaves or petals in preference to cyanogenic alternatives. These species can be characterized as generalist feeders for which L. corniculatus forms only an occasional dietary item for any particular individual. Some of the insects that were found to display selective eating were maintained on exclusive diets of either cyanogenic or acyanogenic L. corniculatus . Survival times varied considerably between species, but there was no evidence that mortalities were higher amongst the groups exposed to cyanide. These results suggest that the major role of cyanogenesis may be as a feeding inhibitor, not as a toxin.     

Structure and evolution of the L11, L1, L10, and L12 equivalent ribosomal proteins in eubacteria, archaebacteria, and eucaryotes

The genes corresponding to the L11, L1, L10, and L12 equivalent ribosomal proteins (L11e, L1e, L10e, and L12e) of Escherichia coli have been cloned and sequenced from two widely divergent species of archaebacteria, Halobacterium cutirubrum and Sulfolobus solfataricus, and the L10 and four different L12 genes have been cloned and sequenced from the eucaryote Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Alignments between the deduced amino acid sequences of these proteins and to other available homologous proteins of eubacteria and eucaryotes have been made. The data suggest that the archaebacteria are a distinct coherent phylogenetic group. Alignment of the proline-rich L11e proteins reveals that the N-terminal region, believed to be responsible for interaction with release factor 1, is the most highly conserved region and that there is specific conservation of most of the proline residues, which may be important in maintaining the highly elongated structure of the molecule. Although L11 is the most highly methylated protein in the E. coli ribosome, the sites of methylation are not conserved in the archaebacterial L11e proteins. The L1e proteins of eubacteria and archaebacteria show two regions of very high similarity near the center and the carboxy termini of the proteins. The L10e proteins of all kingdoms are colinear and contain approximately three fourths of an L12e protein fused to their carboxy terminus, although much of this fusion has been lost in the truncated eubacterial protein. The archaebacterial and eucaryotic L12e proteins are colinear, whereas the eubacterial protein has suffered a rearrangement through what appear to be gene fusion events. Within the L12e derived region of the L10e proteins there exists a repeated module of 26 amino acids, present in two copies in eucaryotes, three in archaebacteria, and one in eubacteria. This modular sequence is apparently also present in the L12e proteins of all kingdoms and may play a role in L12e dimerization, L10e-L12e complex formation, and the function of the L10e-L12e complex in translation.     

Maximum daily ration and the pattern of food consumption in haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus (L.), and dab, Limanda limanda (L.)

Food intake was measured under conditions of continuous food availability for haddock, Melanogrammus aeglefinus (L.), and dab, Limanda limanda (L.). Haddock consumed approximately 75% of all food during the day, with a peak of feeding at dusk and an inferred peak at dawn; peaks of feeding were associated with larger meals. By contrast, dabs were mainly night-time feeders with daily consumption rates that were approximately 40% lower than those shown by haddock. Comparison of haddock maximum daily ration with published estimates of consumption in the wild indicate that wild haddock feed at between 15 and 22% of their maximum capacity. Using published data on gastric evacuation, the relationship between meal size and stomach residuum was investigated. There was no detectable relationship between these two variables.     

兴安、长白及华北落叶松RAPD 分子标记的物种特异性鉴定

以中国北方地区主要乡土落叶松树种兴安落叶松(Larix gmelini)、长白落叶松(L. olgensis)和华北落叶松(L. principisrupprechtii)的针叶及种子胚乳为研究材料, 采用RAPD分子标记技术对3种落叶松进行不同物种的种间鉴别。结果表明, 通过引物筛选得到了4个可以鉴别3种落叶松的RAPD引物, 其中有2个引物在落叶松针叶和种子胚乳基因组中都扩增出相同的条带。引物OPB-11在兴安和长白落叶松基因组DNA中1 500 bp处扩增出特异条带, 而在华北落叶松中没有; 引物OPX-14在兴安落叶松基因组DNA中1 200 bp处扩增出特异条带, 而在长白落叶松中没有; 还有2个引物可分别作为3种落叶松苗木和种子鉴别的辅助标记。本研究从分子水平上为落叶松的种间鉴别提供了新的鉴定方法。     

兴安、长白及华北落叶松RAPD分子标记的物种特异性鉴定

以中国北方地区主要乡土落叶松树种兴安落叶松（Larix gmelini）、长白落叶松（L.olgensis）和华北落叶松（L．principis—rupprechtii）的针叶及种子胚乳为研究材料,采用RAPD分子标记技术对3种落叶松进行不同物种的种间鉴别。结果表明,通过引物筛选得到了4个可以鉴别3种落叶松的RAPD引物,其中有2个引物在落叶松针叶和种子胚乳基因组中都扩增出相同的条带。引物OPB-11在兴安和长白落叶松基因组DNA中1500bp处扩增出特异条带,而在华北落叶松中没有：引物OPX-14在兴安落叶松基因组DNA中1200bp处扩增出特异条带,而在长白落叶松中没有：还有2个引物可分别作为3种落叶松苗木和种子鉴别的辅助标记。本研究从分子水平上为落叶松的种间鉴别提供了新的鉴定方法。     

Competitive interactions under experimental conditions affect diel feeding of two common aquaculture fish species Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) and Cirrhinus cirrhosus (Bloch, 1795) of southern Asia

The effects of interspecific competition on grazing between two important aquaculture species, mrigal carp Cirrhinus cirrhosis and orangefin labeo Labeo calbasu, in single and in dual combinations were observed in experimental tanks. This study demonstrated that the presence of a competitor did not cause C. cirrhosis to shift its diel feeding patterns. That said, both total food intake and food preference were negatively affected in C. cirrhosis by the presence of a superior competitor, L. calbasu. The feeding patterns of L. calbasu became diurnal in the presence of C. cirrhosus, suggesting highly complex competitive interactions between the two species. That L. calbasu was specifically able to shift circadian feeding patterns to maximize energy intake in the presence of a competitor would suggest that it would be a suitable species to stock in a mixed species aquaculture system.     

The effect of varying alkaloid concentrations on the feeding behavior of gypsy moth larvae, Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae)

Nine alkaloids (acridine, aristolochic acid, atropine, berberine, caffeine, nicotine, scopolamine, sparteine, and strychnine) were evaluated as feeding deterrents for gypsy moth larvae (Lymantria dispar (L.); Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). Our aim was to determine and compare the taste threshold concentrations, as well as the ED₅₀ values, of the nine alkaloids to determine their potency as feeding deterrents. The alkaloids were applied to disks cut from red oak leaves (Quercus rubra) (L.), a plant species highly favored by larvae of this polyphagous insect species. We used two-choice feeding bioassays to test a broad range of biologically relevant alkaloid concentrations spanning five logarithmic steps. We observed increasing feeding deterrent responses for all the alkaloids tested and found that the alkaloids tested exhibited different deterrency threshold concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 mM. In conclusion, it appears that this generalist insect species bears a relatively high sensitivity to these alkaloids, which confirms behavioral observations that it avoids foliage containing alkaloids. Berberine and aristolochic acid were found to have the lowest ED₅₀ values and were the most potent antifeedants. Handling Editor: Joseph Dickens.     

Differentiation of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. pentosus and L. paraplantarum species by RAPD-PCR and AFLP

Two high-resolution genotypic techniques (RAPD-PCR and AFLP) were evaluated for their possibility to discriminate the species Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus and Lactobacillus paraplantarum and to type these taxa at the infra-species level. In total 23 strains of L. plantarum, three strains of L. pentosus, two strains of L. paraplantarum and two related strains for which the species assignment was not clear, were studied. For RAPD-PCR, suitable oligonucleotides and amplification conditions were selected and tested. For AFLP, a double digest of total genomic DNA was used and a subset of restriction fragments was selectively amplified and visualised using different primer combinations. Both methodologies generated, species-specific electrophoretic profiles. Moreover, the presence of distinct subgroups was revealed within the species L. plantarum.     

Dietary and dental variations in the genus Lemur, with comments concerning dietary-dental correlations among Malagasy primates.

Field studies of feeding in the lemur subspecies Lemur fulvus rufus and L. f. mayottensis have revealed that feeding patterns within a single species can be markedly different, both regionally and seasonally. Thus L. f. rufus is a dietary specialist (3 plant species accounting for 80-90% of feeding time), and is highly folivorous, especially during the dry season (90% of feeding time spent eating leaves during the dry season, and 53% during the wet season). On the other hand, L. f. mayottensis is more generalized dietarily (the parts of 12 plant species accounting for 90% of feeding time), and is primarily frugivorous (64% of feeding time spent eating fruit, with a monthly maximum during the wet season of 79%. In both these respects, L. f. mayottensis resembles L. catta are more closely thant it does L. f. rufus. When size differences are corrected for, Lemur fulvus rufus has significantly longer second lower molar shearing crests than does L. f. mayottensis. Other folivorous Malagasy strepsirhines also tend to have long shearing crests than frugivorous forms. Some data on cheirogaleines also suggest that the more insectivorous species have better developed molar crests than frugivorous species. Some apparent exceptions to this pattern are noted, especially for Lemur catta, which in certain functional respects dentally more closely resembles L. f. rufus than L. f. mayottensis. The problems of dietary classifications are discussed.     

Host-range testing of Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), a candidate for biological control of tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima

Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, tree-of-heaven, is an invasive species native to Asia. It first was introduced into the United States in the 1700 s and now is distributed throughout much of North America. Mechanical and chemical controls are current suppression tactics, however, implementation is costly. A weevil, Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold), was identified in China and imported for quarantine testing in 2004 as a potential biological control agent. Host specificity tests on adult feeding, larval development, and oviposition of this weevil were conducted from 2007 to 2011 on A. altissima and 29 nontarget species. Eucryptorrhynchus brandti adults fed significantly more on A. altissima foliage when compared with all test species. Range of means for feeding on A. altissima was 32.5-106.5 mm(2)/adult/d. In no-choice tests, Simarouba glauca DC, Leitneria floridana Chapm., and Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F., had feeding rates of only 10, 49, and 10%, respectively, compared with the level of feeding on A. altissima. The mean range of adult feeding by E. brandti on all other test species was <7% of feeding on A. altissima (0.0-3.3 ± 5.0 mm(2)/adult/d). In the no-choice larval inoculation tests, larval development only occurred in two of 10 L. floridana seedlings compared with seven of 10 A. altissima seedlings. In the no-choice oviposition tests, oviposition and subsequent larval development did not occur in L. floridiana, whereas all seven A. altissima seedlings supported oviposition and subsequent larval development. The weevil did not appear to be a threat to L. floridana or any other nontarget species tested. Therefore, we conclude that Eucryptorrhynchus brandti is highly host specific to A. altissima.